Why does it matter what year my house was built?

It matters because homes built before certain years may contain hazardous materials that require special handling:

• Lead Paint (Pre-1978): The EPA assumes homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. We are required to do a visual assessment of the area to see if we will disturb more than 6 square feet of painted surfaces inside or more than 20 feet of paint outside.

  • It is rare that we disturb more than 6 square feet in the course of a flooring install, but if it were determined that installation work would disturb painted surfaces, strict safety protocols must be followed to protect your health and comply with federal law. 

• Asbestos (Pre-1986): Vinyl or glued-down flooring in homes built before 1986 may contain asbestos in adhesives or backing. Removing these materials without proper precautions can release harmful fibers, so we cannot remove them.

What Does This Mean for Your Project?

If your home falls into these categories, we will discuss options and additional steps with you during the measurement process to ensure your installation will be safe and compliant.